Ride-Sharing Driver Enters Plea In Kidnapping

A Queens ride-sharing driver who was accused of kidnapping a woman passenger pleaded guilty Monday to kidnapping and wire fraud in White Plains federal court. Harbir Parmar, 25, of Howard Beach, was arrested Oct. 16, 2018.

Geoffrey S. Berman, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Parmar took advantage of a vulnerable woman who utilized a ride-sharing service by kidnapping and terrorizing her.

"In addition, he charged many of his ride-sharing customers with fraudulent fees," he said. "Today, he admitted his guilt in open court, and will now be held accountable for his brazen crimes."

Authorities said Parmar was working as a driver for a ride-sharing company and, on Feb. 21, 2018, picked up a woman customer in Manhattan who wanted to be driven to White Plains.

After the woman fell asleep in the backseat of the car, Parmar changed the woman's destination in the company's mobile app to an address in Boston, Massachusetts, and proceeded to drive to that location.

When the woman woke up, the car was in Connecticut, and she asked to be taken to White Plains or to the police station, but Parmar refused, police said.

Instead, he dropped her off on the side of I-95 in Branford, Connecticut. She then went to a nearby convenience store where she sought help.

Authorities said that, in addition, from December 2016 through February 2018, Parmar sent false information about the destinations of the company's customers through its mobile app. He also sent false information about the application of a cleaning fee to be applied to the customers' accounts, resulting in thousands of collars of improper charges to the customers.

The customers filed complaints about being overcharged for their rides.

Parmar pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

He is scheduled to be sentenced June 24.

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